Wire-fence machine.



No. 681,031. Patented Aug. 2o, 19m.

J. n. BARBER. A

WIRE FENCE MACHINE..

(Application med May 17, 1901.)

(nu Model.)

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UNrrnfn S'rnfrns irme ATENT WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,031, dated August 20, 1901. Application filed May 1'7, 1901. Serial llo. 60,714. (No model.)

i above-indicated class in which the movable parts are so arranged as to minimize, if not altogether avoid, side strains and to reduce friction.

The invention will be fully described hereinafter and the features of novelty pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,- forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the views.

Figure lis a perspective view of my improved wire-fence machine in operation, and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional plan on the line 2 2 `of Fig. l.

The machine-frame comprises two u prights A A, one of which is shorter than the other, bot-h of the uprights being angular in crosssection--for instance, hexagonal, as shown. From the top of the longer upright Aan arm C extends, iirst horizontally toward the other upright A' and then downward until it meets the upper end of the shorter upright A. From that point the member O extends horizontally from one upright to the other. The said member C is double and is formed at its ends, as well as at that portion which engages the upper end of the upright A', with clamping portions C of a shape corresponding to the angular form of the uprights. The two sections of the member C are connected adjacent to the uprights by screws and bolts D or by any other suitable means. At that part of the member C which is farthest away from the upright A a sprocket-wheel E is journaled in said member,and on the shaft of said sprocketwheel is mounted an operating-crank F. At suitable intervals below the bottom part of the member C the uprightsAA are connected by braces or cross-arms G, each of which is double and provided at its free end witha clamping portion G/ to engage the corresponding upright. At the center the cross-arms G, as well as the horizontal lower portion of the member C, are provided with bearings, as shown at G2 in Fig. 2, the said bearings receiving hub portions H, projected from sprocket-wheels H, which are mounted to rotate between the bearings G2, the latter being appropriately spaced for this purpose. A similar construction is provided at the upper horizontal portion of the member C, :and it will be understood that all the sprocket-wheels H are located substantially in vertical aline# ment. The sections of the cross-arms G are connected adjacent to the uprights A A by bolts I and nuts I. A chain J passes over all of the sprocket-wheels E and H, and one run of the chain is substantially vertical, while the other run engages the two lowermost sprocketwheels H on one side and then passes alternately from one side to the other as it engages the several other sprocket-wheels. In order to guide the vertical run of the chain .I and to keep it from contact with the sprocketwheels H and with the other run ofthe chain at points where such contact is not desired, I provide the lower portion of the member C and the cross-'arms G with inward projections G3, which, as shown in Fig. 2, prevent a movement of the vertical run of the chain toward the other run thereof. Each of the sprocketwheels H has its web provided within the hub H with a plurality of apertures H2, suitable for the reception of the wire to be twisted.

In operation the frame is set up transversely of the fence, so that the centers of the sprocket-wheels H will be on lines connecting adjacent fence-posts, and then the wires K are passed through the apertures H2 and fastened to the tension-post L in the usual manner. Thereupon the crank Fis rotated, thus causing the wire to be twisted in the ordinary manner. Inasmuch as all the sprocket wheels H are located in vertical alinement there is very little side strain, if any, and the particular journaling of the sprocket-wheels enables them to turn with very little friction, while interference of the vertical run of the chain .I with the other moving parts is rendered impossible by the use of the projections G3.

IOS

Having thus described my invention, I claim as'new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A wire-fence machine, comprising two uprights of unequal length, a connecting member extending from the top of one upright to the top of the other, and provided with an outward bend, a. driving-wheel journaled in said member at the bend thereof,

ranged to clamp the uprights between them and provided with centrally-located bearings and with projections at one side of the bearings, the latter being spaced from each other, twistingwheels having hubs journaled in said bearings while the bodies of the wheels extend between mating bearings, a driving- Wheel journaled in the frame, and a chain engaging the driving-Wheel and the twistingwheels, the two runs of said chain passing on opposite sides of the projections on the sections of the connecting-arms.

In Witness whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. i

' JOHN M. BARBER.

Witnesses:

P. HEMPSTEAD, L. N. BENTON. 

